The elderly man accused of chopping one woman to death then slashing another female on the head before setting her house on fire is to remain in custody until his next court appearance.

The order was made by Senior Parish Judge Tara Reid-Carr when Ernest Whyte, a 63-year-old labourer of McCook’s Pen district, in St Catherine, appeared before the St Catherine Parish Court yesterday.

It's believed that Whyte and the slain woman, Denise Bright, a 47-year-old labourer also of McCook’s Pen district​, were involved in a romantic relationship.

The elderly man was arrested by the Spanish Town Police last month and charged with murder, attempted murder and arson.

According to the allegations, Whyte was at Bright’s home on September 20 when an argument developed.

It’s alleged that during the argument he chopped her to death then hid her body under a bed.

Minutes later, according to the allegations, the elderly man went to the home of another woman, located in the community of Homestead, also in St Catherine, and chopped her on the head before setting fire to the house.

After the woman collapsed, Whyte reported tried to kill himself, but was restrained by police personnel.

The case was postponed after Dr Kes Miller, the attorney who was assigned to represent Whyte, requested an adjournment.